Monday, July 13, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Happy Anniversary
What a year, huh?
Exactly one year ago today we went to an eye appointment thinking James was going to get glasses. Instead he was admitted to the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital awaiting surgery.
I have trouble putting in words the impact your support – near and far – has had on us. By just being there you’ve smoothed the bumps and eased the hard turns. Without you it’s possible that we’d be in a ditch somewhere spinning our tires. But instead we’re able to focus on helping James fight while trying to live a normal life.
Thank you.
As for Jimmy, he’s doing well. His blood counts have been down the past few weeks and there’s been chatter about transfusions to boost them. But in the end, it appears that he’s rebounding and we’ll escape another chemo round without fusin’ him.
On the non-medical side, JT has been busy wrapping up first grade, doing great in swimming lessons, walked the field at a Seadogs Game, and took a special trip to the NE Aquarium on the Downeaster. I’ll post photos soon.
I have trouble putting in words the impact your support – near and far – has had on us. By just being there you’ve smoothed the bumps and eased the hard turns. Without you it’s possible that we’d be in a ditch somewhere spinning our tires. But instead we’re able to focus on helping James fight while trying to live a normal life.
Thank you.
As for Jimmy, he’s doing well. His blood counts have been down the past few weeks and there’s been chatter about transfusions to boost them. But in the end, it appears that he’s rebounding and we’ll escape another chemo round without fusin’ him.
On the non-medical side, JT has been busy wrapping up first grade, doing great in swimming lessons, walked the field at a Seadogs Game, and took a special trip to the NE Aquarium on the Downeaster. I’ll post photos soon.
The next few weeks will be busy ones. Cape Cod with friends, another chemo admit, birthdays for both boys and Camp Sunshine (fingers crossed) in mid July.
Again, thanks for being there.
Again, thanks for being there.
dct
Shots of James and his pal, Ada, helping out at the Wayside Soup Kitchen.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Home again...
Hello,
I'm getting my social media messed up. I updated non-blogger friends but forgot out blogger ones. It won't happen again. I promise.
Well, we got out of the hospital a little early yesterday and got a decent night's sleep. Hopefully, we won't have any further port problems!
JT tells us that school was good and he's quite excited that his next science program will be about birds in the US. What's even cooler to him is that it begins while he's in first grade and continues in 2nd grade (he'll have the same teacher).
I also wanted to share that Friday's MRI came back clear. While, yes, we are excited and this is excellent news the big-time MRI test will really begin late this year when he's off his chemo. But for now we'll revel in the fact that there is no evidence of recurrent tumor and try our best to build some strength to enjoy the summer.
Peace...
dct
I'm getting my social media messed up. I updated non-blogger friends but forgot out blogger ones. It won't happen again. I promise.
Well, we got out of the hospital a little early yesterday and got a decent night's sleep. Hopefully, we won't have any further port problems!
JT tells us that school was good and he's quite excited that his next science program will be about birds in the US. What's even cooler to him is that it begins while he's in first grade and continues in 2nd grade (he'll have the same teacher).
I also wanted to share that Friday's MRI came back clear. While, yes, we are excited and this is excellent news the big-time MRI test will really begin late this year when he's off his chemo. But for now we'll revel in the fact that there is no evidence of recurrent tumor and try our best to build some strength to enjoy the summer.
Peace...
dct
Monday, May 11, 2009
Any Port in a Storm
Just a brief check in...
James has recovered from his bout of conjunctivitis and subsequent allergic reaction in fine form. The only thing bothering him now is - what appears to be - seasonal allergies.
On Friday, we went into the hospital for a scheduled MRI. We found out today that the results came back clear.
This morning Jennifer and James returned to MMC for his seventh round of chemo. Now, I've chatted about this enough for you all to know that the number one thing that James hates more than anything in this world is being accessed. I don't blame him one bit. It's a damn big needle. EMLA or not.
Well, the first three attempts to access his portacath failed. The needle would go in but they couldn't get fluids in or blood out of the darned thing. Something was clearly up. X-rays showed that everything looked as if it was all in place. Finally, after a fourth attempt they were able to flush saline in. This opened the door for meds to be given to eat away at any clots in the line (if that was, in fact, the issue). An hour or so later, the port was back to cooperating (in and out)and pre-hydration could begin.
That being said, the portacath "issues" didn't derail the overall chemo schedule. It just pushed back today's therapy from what typically is about 3 or 4pm to just after 9pm. The upside is that the port works (and that's all that really matters). The downside is that we can't leave until 24 hours after chemo begins. So, were in until 9:10pm Tuesday night (at the earliest).
Hope all is well. I'll check in soon.
dct
James has recovered from his bout of conjunctivitis and subsequent allergic reaction in fine form. The only thing bothering him now is - what appears to be - seasonal allergies.
On Friday, we went into the hospital for a scheduled MRI. We found out today that the results came back clear.
This morning Jennifer and James returned to MMC for his seventh round of chemo. Now, I've chatted about this enough for you all to know that the number one thing that James hates more than anything in this world is being accessed. I don't blame him one bit. It's a damn big needle. EMLA or not.
Well, the first three attempts to access his portacath failed. The needle would go in but they couldn't get fluids in or blood out of the darned thing. Something was clearly up. X-rays showed that everything looked as if it was all in place. Finally, after a fourth attempt they were able to flush saline in. This opened the door for meds to be given to eat away at any clots in the line (if that was, in fact, the issue). An hour or so later, the port was back to cooperating (in and out)and pre-hydration could begin.
That being said, the portacath "issues" didn't derail the overall chemo schedule. It just pushed back today's therapy from what typically is about 3 or 4pm to just after 9pm. The upside is that the port works (and that's all that really matters). The downside is that we can't leave until 24 hours after chemo begins. So, were in until 9:10pm Tuesday night (at the earliest).
Hope all is well. I'll check in soon.
dct
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